Vacuum-operatedkake-and-break spark-plug



H. G. IRWIN.

VACUUM OPERATED MAKE AND BREAK SPARK PLUG.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 1. 191 7.

Patented June 10, 1919.

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HERBERT GLEN inwiuv, or stun, Tax-As. v

vacuum-OPER TED KE-expanse SP RKQP G.

7 Specification of llet terslPatent. Patented 31 111310, 1919 Application filed September 11, 1917. Z SrialNo. 190,834;

To allwhom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, HERBERT G. IRWIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Spur, in the county of Dickensand State of Texas, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Vacuum-Operated Make-and-Break Spark-Plugs, and do hereby declare the following'tobe a --full, clear,

and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a vacuum-operated make and break spark plug, and the object in view is to produce a simple and efficient mechanism of this nature so arranged that the moving parts may be supplied with a lubricating material and the provision of a vacuum actuated means for actuating an electrode.

The invention comprises a simple and eflicient device of this nature, having various details of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts which will be hereinafter fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and then specifically defined in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view through the invention, parts being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow.

Reference now being had to the details of the drawings by numerals:

1 designates the body of a spark plug having a flange with apertures 2 for the reception of fastening means for securing the plug to a cylinder, not shown. Mounted in an aperture 4 in the lower end of the plug casing is insulating material 3 surrounding the stationary electrode 8. A metal tube 5 surrounds said insulation 3 and an electrode within and has its upper end flaring and shouldered and is adapted to fit in an opening 6 in the upper end of the housing 7 which covers the operative parts of the apparatus, said housing resting upon the end ofi-theispark plug casing. l A' thumb-screw is fitted to the threaded end of the electr'ode and bears .againstia suitable insulation. The

lower end of the electrode has a head 9 recessed at=itslo wer end, and 10- is a terminal projecting: from the recess of .said head, shown clearly n Figs. and 3 of the draw- I "Mounted within the spark plug casing is a guide member 13 about which is a lubricating material within the casing and within said guide member a rocking electrode 12 is mounted, the upper end of which is squared and fits within a similar shaped opening in the arm 15, the latter being pivoted to the bracket arm 16 which projects from the diaphragm 17. Said diaphragm is fastened at one end by means of a screw 18 and its other end which extends the length of the vacuum chamber swings freely. A flexible tube 19 is fastened in an opening in the wall of the vacuum chamber with which it com municates and its other end is adapted to be connected to the intake of the manifold, not shown. A coiled spring 20 is fastened at one end to the guide member 13 and its other end to the arm 15 and serves to normally return the movable electrode to its starting position, after having been actuated by the vacuum actuated diaphragm. The lower portion of said electrode 12 passes through an opening in the bottom of the spark plug casing and has an integral finger 14 which is provided with a terminal 14' and is designed to be thrown into contact with the terminal 10.

In operation, my vacuum energized make and break spark plug is adapted to be adjusted for igniting purposes in internal combustion engines, for the purpose of igniting liquid fuel and is adapted to :be placed within the cylinder of a motor. The stationary electrode is adapted to be connected to the force of electrical energy, not shown, and the moving electrode is operated by the vacuum formed in the intake manifold, said vacuum being distributed to each plug at the proper time by a vacuum distributer or timing device. Said timing device connection consists of a flexible tubing of any suitable material. The movable electrode will be caused to rock and make contact with the stationary electrode 10 and when the vacuum is released the resiliency of the diaphragm 17 and the spring 20 will cause the terminals to break contact and in the event of an electric current flowing through the terminal an arc will be caused, producing the desired ignition.

What I claim to be new is:

1. A vacuum-operated make and break spark plug, comprising a casing, a stationary insulated electrode'mounted therein having a terminal, a movable spring pressed electrode with a terminal at one end, and a vacuum actuated diaphragm within the easing fixed at one end and itsotlier end free and having connection with said movable electrode.

2. A vacuum operated make and break spark plug, comprising a casing, a stationi v a Copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

ary insulated electrode mounted therein having a terminal, a vacuum chamber adapted to communicate with the intake manifold, a diaphragm Within said chamber fastened at one end and its other end free, an arm fastened to said movable electrode and pivoted to the diaphragm, a spring held stationary at one end and its other end secured to said arm.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HERBERT GLEN IRWIN.

Witnesses ORAN MoOLnnn, L. R B i Washington, D. G 

